BlueSky helps a leading technology college streamline its performance management

Basingstoke College of Technology uses BlueSky to monitor the progress of more than 400 members of staff

"Feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive – staff members commented that they find our onscreen forms really quick to complete. Most importantly, it has significantly reduced their workload".

Malcolm Quiney, Head of Human Resources, BCoT

The comprehensive reporting available in BlueSky provides me with a strategic overview of staff performance across the College. Having used BlueSky since 2007, I am very confident with the tool and its impact.
Anthony Bravo,
Chief Executive and Principal, BCoT

The Challenge

Malcolm Quiney joined BCoT as Head of Human Resources in 2016, and commented:

"After only a few weeks of being in post I could see the benefits of having a centralised system to monitor staff performance and development. The College is vast and tracking down individuals was nearly impossible, as was the completion of paper-based documentation for performance reviews. Like many other colleges, we need a quick and efficient system that would reduce staff workload and cut the costs associated with printing."

"As a college that prides itself on its use of digital innovation technology, it was also important that we were seen to be using the latest technology to support learning – not just for pupils but for staff as well."

BlueSky's Role

"BlueSky allows us to monitor the progress of reviews on staff performance and development, including whether or not they've been completed. I can see instantly if a staff member has not yet completed their review and prompt him or her accordingly.

This digital system significantly reduces time spent following up with staff members."

"With the process being digitised, we have also been able to make major savings in relation to printing costs. I can complete all my due diligence on staff activity without the need to press 'print'. BlueSky has proved to be a really valuable investment for the College."

The Impact

"Teachers find the new system extremely beneficial as they can now update their records at a time convenient to them."

"Personally, I could not imagine trying to manage the annual performance development review process without BlueSky. Our organisation is too large to manage the process offline and the administrative time it would take for me to collate and check paperbased review documentation from all staff would be a full-time job in itself."

"As there is sensitive data involved in the performance review process, managing the entire procedure online also ensures standardisation of practice, important when considering GDPR."

"We also encourage staff to use the system to register and document their continuing professional development."

Monitoring staff performance and implementing improvements in teaching standards across the College has also been simplified thanks to BlueSky.

Chief Executive and Principal of BCoT Anthony Bravo commented, "The comprehensive reporting available in BlueSky provides me with a strategic overview of staff performance across the College. Having used BlueSky since 2007, I am very confident with the tool and its impact."

What's next? "We plan to introduce 360 reviews using BlueSky in the near future. We are currently piloting the module with non-teaching staff, before rolling it out across the College."

"Feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive – staff members commented that they find our on-screen forms really quick to complete. Most importantly, it has significantly reduced their workload," said Malcolm Quiney.